Annette Tatum ~ Interview & Book Giveaway

Recently I featured Annette Tatum's gorgeous new bedding collection from her interior decor lines House and Little House in this post. Today I am thrilled to interview her and giveaway her new book, The Well-Dressed Home. This book is an inspiring resource that merges fashion and home decor styles. It also guides you through beautiful images how to decorate your home by embracing your fashion sense.

SB: Where did you get the inspiration for your new bedding collection? Do you have a favorite print?

Annette: I get a lot of ideas from fashion. I love the way the that industry forecasts new looks. I also have a library of architectural components such as tile patterns, iron gate designs that I source new ideas and patterns from. And then there is the one of a kind textile documents that you can find at a flea market or little store that hold a treasure of ideas to be put into print.

SB: How would you describe your personal style?

Annette: I tend to like a little of everything, but for the most part I am pretty classic. I like designs with historical references and that have stood the test of time. My own home is full of traditional design but layered in are the bohemian and vintage elements that I love. A little bit of Audrey mixed with Alexander McQueen is my favorite. The expected mixed with the unexpected.

SB: Has your personal style changed or evolved over time and how?

Annette: My lifestyle has definitely changed over the years from single girl to mother of four. So my personal style has changed from everything to what I wear to how my kitchen is laid out. Where I am in my life has such an impact on how I live. Four small kids.. easy to wear furniture and clothing.. When I was single.. much more mod and sleek. So just like my wardrobe I have stopped wearing mini skirts just like my home I no longer have such a formal dining room. I think as that as time goes on I find myself more attracted to simple yet elegant design. Both in my own personal style and my home.

SB: In your own home, what is your favorite room and why?

Annette: We have a little room off our master bedroom that is probably 8 x 8. We all love to hang out in there and watch TV or click on the computer. I just added seagrass to the walls and the book cases are a Wedgewood blue. It feels like a very cozy little English den.

SB: What trends are you seeing in your projects right now?

Annette: In my new book, The Well-Dressed Home I cover eleven different styles in home decor and fashion. I am seeing that the two are more and more blended and using that for inspiration. What ever is on the runway makes its way somehow in some form to the home decor market. Fashion adds drama and exciting to design and that trend is what I am looking at for my own line.

SB: You have been a successful interior designer, author and business woman with decor lines House and Little House. Do you enjoy one more than the other? What is next on your career agenda?

Annette: It has been quite a ride and I am often looking for ways to slow down! But recently we designed a group of one of kind dress forms for the book tour that are amazing. Dresses made out of home decor materials such as wallpaper, tile, hardware and more. They were so fun to work on and the hands on creating is what I really miss. I hope to do more of that in the future. I love the idea of " bespoke" tailoring and think that adding more of that to the products I make is exciting.. and maybe another book! {for "The Making of the Mannequin Exhibit" go to Annette's blog here}

To celebrate Annette's book, Simplified Bee will be giving away a copy of The Well-Dressed Home to one lucky reader. Here's how to enter:

*Leave a comment.
*Extra entry - Follow Simplified Bee™ Blog (by adding yourself to the follower group on the sidebar) or follow Simplified Bee on Twitter.
* Extra entry - mention this giveaway in a post or tweet and leave a comment letting me know you've done so.
* Please post a separate comment for each extra entry.
* Entry period closes at midnight PST, Sunday, April 11, 2010 and the winner will be announced Monday, April 12, 2010.
*Note: The winner will be drawn randomly using Random.org, notified directly via email and listed back at this post using first name only.

Wishing you a wonderful day!

*images courtesy of Annette Tatum